The announcement came after a series of developments, including the dissolution of the government and the replacement of Prime Minister Amadou Ba with Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba, Reuters reported. This move allows Ba, the ruling coalition’s presidential candidate, to concentrate on his electoral campaign, according to the presidency.
Earlier the Constitutional Council ruled that a proposal from a national dialogue commission for the vote to be held on June 2 was not in line with the constitution.
“The President of the Republic informed the Council of Ministers that the date of the presidential election had been set for Sunday 24 March,” the Council of ministers said soon after in a statement.
Senegalese lawmakers on Wednesday approved a proposed bill granting amnesty to individuals who have committed offences or crimes “relating to demonstrations or having political motives” since February 2021.
However, it remains unclear whether this amnesty will apply to imprisoned opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his chosen presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.